Help finding a cheap car

[smack]

Hi local TV&S'ers,

I need help finding a car, posted in GG, but over the years you guys seem to be very good at ferreting local out bargins!
GF's car looked dead (timing slipped, but after resetting that with new bits, no compression. Unless I set the timing up wrong, it looks like bent valves), so need a cheap replacement.

Up to 3k, but cheaper the better. If it is cheap, run it for 6 months and flog it off, but if a good car, she would keep it 12-18 months. She would like a Civic Type R (and would to play in when I get to drive it), but as she is building up her business, she really can't afford that kind of running cost at the moment.
So, requirement is Golf size, 3 series size max, reliable, petrol engine is fine, good running costs (so no 3l V6's etc.!). And nothing cheap and nasty, or French (sorry TC!).

Ideas guys?

Cheers

[Furry Exocet]

Doh just in the process of trading in my Skoda Octavia VRS! could of had that for under 2k

[touching cloth]

smack said:

And nothing cheap and nasty, or French (sorry TC!).

No worries, I do think there is an element of luck with French cars, when they are good they can be great... but when bad.. !

[omgus]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...





Have a look at the mileage before you decide.

[omgus]

And having checked the no French rule makes it a lot harder as most sub £3k cars seem to be French, combining it with the possible hoonability to compare with a CTR then I could only find a couple.

Seats:
Ibiza - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Leon 20v Turbo - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Focus ST170 (I may be biased as i currently have one of these and it is much better fun than you'd think)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

MG
1.8 - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Completely inappropriate V6 - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[BerksJack]

I had that shape leon cupra for 2yrs. Great car, and I don't remember anything significant falling off in the time I had it.

Did like to understeer a touch though

[smack]

We went out visiting a few dealer this afternoon (ran into a PH'er with a nice grey 205 Gti at one dealer!), and two cars that fit the bill - GF decided that nippy was more important to frugal after driving a few things.

One was a '03 (or abouts) Civic Si. Nippy, held the road well. It is a Honda, so should be worry free. Just over 3k
Other was a 04 Ibiza FR, witht he 1.8T. Didn't ride as nice, but had some go for a little thing. And was 600 quid cheaper. 2.7k
The dealer (who had both cars) offered to pickup the currently dead Ibiza on the drive (hope the FR is put together better than the 1.2!) with his flatbed for 300 quid as part of a deal.

[Dave_ITR]

Furry Exocet said:

Doh just in the process of trading in my Skoda Octavia VRS! could of had that for under 2k

Would you please send me the details if you don't go ahead with the trade-in, could well be what I am after.

[touching cloth]

smack said:

The dealer (who had both cars) offered to pickup the currently dead Ibiza on the drive (hope the FR is put together better than the 1.2!) with his flatbed for 300 quid as part of a deal.

Just checking but do you mean his is effectively paying you £300 as a trade in for the broken car? Or charging you £300 to clear it????

[smack]

touching cloth said:

smack said:

The dealer (who had both cars) offered to pickup the currently dead Ibiza on the drive (hope the FR is put together better than the 1.2!) with his flatbed for 300 quid as part of a deal.

Just checking but do you mean his is effectively paying you £300 as a trade in for the broken car? Or charging you £300 to clear it????

Paying us (well GF) £300 as a trade in for a broken car....

[touching cloth]

smack said:

touching cloth said:

smack said:

The dealer (who had both cars) offered to pickup the currently dead Ibiza on the drive (hope the FR is put together better than the 1.2!) with his flatbed for 300 quid as part of a deal.

Just checking but do you mean his is effectively paying you £300 as a trade in for the broken car? Or charging you £300 to clear it????

Paying us (well GF) £300 as a trade in for a broken car....

Ah good as you were then, I read it the other way the first time and alarm bells rang, given it will always have a scrap value.

[smack]

No, I know it is worth money scrap! And if I did have to pay, like you used to, I would fleabay off the easy to get rid of parts to pay for it, such as headlamps/taillamps etc...

Has anyone had dealings with the trader opposide the Jovial Sailer in Ripley? A google search didn't set off any alarm bells.

[motorbreath]

Im toying with getting rid of the Octy vrs, probably put it up for sale next week, some were around the £1,700 mark. :-D

[CypherP]

motorbreath said:

Im toying with getting rid of the Octy vrs, probably put it up for sale next week, some were around the £1,700 mark. :-D

I'd be very keen on more details. Am in the process of getting the 3er ready to sell as need something cheaper to get to work in now that mileage has doubled.

[motorbreath]

CypherP said:

I'd be very keen on more details. Am in the process of getting the 3er ready to sell as need something cheaper to get to work in now that mileage has doubled.

Ill throw some details together in a min and let you know! :-)

[CypherP]

motorbreath said:

CypherP said:

I'd be very keen on more details. Am in the process of getting the 3er ready to sell as need something cheaper to get to work in now that mileage has doubled.

Ill throw some details together in a min and let you know! :-)

Cheers matey, have emailed you!